Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-08

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The formation of rain-shadow deserts

Student answer (Band 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the cycle for the formation of a special type of desert named a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the formation of a rain-shadow desert consists of seven stages. The process begins with the movement of winds from the sea towards the coast and ends at the formation of a desert.

In the initial stage, winds move from the sea to the coast. The hot winds encounter the mountains in front of them and are driven in an upwards direction. The moist hot air rises and cools down. Next, at the windward side, the wind creates the establishment of clouds. Then, these clouds pave the way for the rain to fall on the slope of the mountains.

Furthermore, the dry air continues to move from the top of the mountain to the other side of the mountain. On the other side, dry air reaches the leeward side, which is opposite to the windward side. From there, winds reach the inland areas, which are thousands of kilometers from the coast. Finally, on reaching the inland areas, winds then lead to the rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have clearly outlined the progression from the sea to the inland desert area. The overview is concise and accurately captures the essence of the diagram. However, the description could be improved by incorporating more specific technical terminology found in the diagram, such as 'prevailing winds' or 'moist air' versus 'dry air' more precisely. While you have covered the stages, the explanation of the 'rain-shadow' effect itself—the contrast between the wet windward side and the arid leeward side—could be more explicitly linked to the lack of precipitation in the final stage to fully demonstrate a high-level understanding of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. The use of cohesive devices such as 'In the initial stage', 'Next', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' helps guide the reader through the stages effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial wind movement from the subsequent mountain crossing and final desert formation. The flow of information is smooth, and referencing is generally clear, although some transitions could be slightly more sophisticated to avoid a repetitive structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, such as 'encounter', 'pave the way', 'leeward', and 'windward'. These terms are appropriate for the task. However, there is a tendency to use somewhat generic phrasing, such as 'pave the way for the rain to fall' or 'lead to the rain-shadow desert', which could be more precise. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more academic collocations related to geography and meteorology. The vocabulary is accurate, and there are no spelling errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly. You have successfully used passive voice constructions, such as 'are driven in an upwards direction', which is appropriate for describing a scientific process. While the grammatical control is solid, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To improve, you could experiment with more varied subordinate clauses or participle phrases to increase the sophistication of your sentence construction.

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